Vines and vision

We’re proud to work with farmers right across South Australia — not just in broadacre, but in viticulture too. One partnership especially close to our hearts is with Tim Adams. His vineyards are a cornerstone of the Clare Valley wine scene, and we’re raising a glass to celebrate not only his world-class wines, but also Tim himself, as a much-loved member of our community.

A big influence

Tim’s love of wine started early. In third-year social studies, he had to write a story about a local industry — a project that would change his life. It began with an introduction to an Australian winemaking legend, Karl Hubert Knappstein, affectionately known as Mr Mick. “Dad played golf with Mr Mick and set up the interview. I sat with him for about an hour and a half, and he told me all about his life, his family, and the wine industry. I filled a big project book with labels and notes and thought, ‘This is easy — I’ll be a winemaker.’ I was 13 or 14, and from then on, that’s all I wanted to do.” Even while boarding at St Peter’s College in Adelaide, Tim’s passion was clear. “I did all sorts of illicit things, like making wine … I went to the boarding house kitchen and begged and borrowed raisins and sultanas and rice and made wine from anything that could ferment. It was all revolting, of course, but it did the job,” he laughs. By the time he was 16, Tim was ready to take the next big step. “I wrote a letter to Mr Mick … I remember I wasn’t even 17. And he wrote back and said, ‘Yes, come and have an interview. ’We were holidaying at the Lake Bonnie caravan park, so Dad and I drove over … and he said, ‘you can start on the 3rd of February.’” Those first two years as a cellar hand under Mr Mick at Leasingham laid the ground work for a career that would shape some of the Clare Valley’s most respected wines. With Mr Mick’s guidance, Tim earned a winemaking degree via correspondence at Wagga, then returned home to manage the district’s largest winery. By 24, he was running 60 staff — but when Mr Mick retired, Tim was ready to carve his own path. After a partnership with Bill Wray making wine and servicing barrels, Tim and his wife Pam Goldsack launched Tim Adams Wines, just days before the birth of their daughter, Frances, in May 1987.

A tale of two brands

Over the next few years, Tim and Pam steadily grew their brand. On Christmas Eve 1987, they bought Robertson’s Wines and relaunched it as Tim Adams Wines the following year. They ran most of the business themselves, gradually expanding — and by the late 2000s, they needed more hands on deck. That’s when the idea for Mr Mick’s Cellar Door and Kitchen was born, honouring Tim’s mentor and lifelong friend. In a bold move, they snapped up nearby vineyards in 2009, then purchased the old Leasingham winery from Constellation Wines Australia, saving it from demolition and becoming the first private owners of the jam-factory-turned-winery since the Knappstein family sold it in 1971. Now a Riesling Trail highlight, Mr Mick’s Cellar Door and Kitchen blends Clare’s history and great wine with a welcoming vibe.

Tim’s experimental streak comes through in the Mr Mick brand, which is designed for fun, approachable, and innovative wines. “Mr Mick was all about making good wine that people could afford, not chasing big money … It’s about providing club memberships and really good incentives for people to be part of the family. It’s the innovative wing of the whole business that experiments with new varieties.” This philosophy has seen wines like Pinot Gris, Tempranillo, Sangiovese and Fiano thrive. “Younger generations don’t want to drink what their parents did— they take pride in discovering something new and sharing it with friends … I look at what works overseas, see if it fits here, plant small, and follow my instincts —experimenting, finding the right blocks, and letting the wines evolve.” Asked for his favourite, Tim laughs: “That’s like asking which is your favorite kid! It depends on mood and food. The Mr Mick range is bright, fruit-driven, easy to drink, and food-friendly — what we call ‘gum tree wines,’ perfect for a deck chair under a gumtree. Right now, I’m loving Fiano and Tempranillo — heat-tolerant, climate-friendly, and spot-on for the approachable, modern style we’re creating. ”As for the Tim Adams brand, it has a different purpose. “I’d describe the Tim Adams brand as selfish — it’s the expression of what Pam and I really like in wine. Some of the old-school wines in the Black Label range are the heart and soul of what I want to make. The White Label range has become more commercial, but the Black Label and the Aberfeldy are purely what I was brought up to make by Mr Mick. The Riesling in that range is austere — it’s from our home property and really rich. They’re all individual vineyard wines, low yielding and very high quality. Every one of them is at least a 95-point wine.”

Life outside the vineyards

Tim and Pam’s commitment stretches beyond the vineyards. Their charitable work — as long-term Platinum Sponsors of the SA Variety Bash and Gold Sponsors of the Variety SA 4WD Adventure and Motorun — reflects the values Mr Mick instilled decades ago. “Responsibility to the community is what we’re most proud of. We are very happy to be able to share.” Through Variety SA, Tim met Ramsey Bros Director Brenton Ramsey, and five years ago, he bought a fleet of four tractors for his vineyards from Ramsey Bros. “They’re quick on the road, solid in the vineyard, economical, and comfortable. The boys love them. We look after them properly so they last for decades.” Family life is full of energy, between visits from Frances in London and their two dogs, Giorgio and Luca; but it’s clear that Tim and Pam are rooted firmly in Clare Valley. “We can easily explore South Australia, go to the beach, or hop to Adelaide in an hour and a half. But it’s the community that really keeps us here. There are great schools and health services, and a town that lives and breathes sport … It’s a healthy, happy place, with a real sense of community spirit.” Not many school projects lead to the creation of two celebrated brands, but Tim’s passion, thirst for experimentation and love of community have done just that. We can’t wait to taste what’s next.